Kimberly Kinrade's Blog, page 24
November 8, 2011
Dear Jacob Black – A Letter to the Twilight heart-throb
Dear Jacob Black,
Hi. How are you doing? Me? Not so good. You see, I have a bone to pick with you (tacky pun intended).
Okay, first of all, why on God's green Earth did you ever fall for Bella? I mean, really. Even the most fanatic of Twi-fans can't understand what you see in her. You are so much better than Bella Swan-Cullen (insert gagging noises here).
No, don't get down on yourself, you are!
Look at you; you're a hulking stack of gorgeousness both on paper and on-screen. You're also really sweet and funny and strong and… swoon… Did I tell you that my husband is Indian—mind you, he's not the same kind of Indian as you, but yeah, I appreciate that look (wink, wink, Jakey boy).
Back to my point… I don't think I ever would have finished the entire Saga if it hadn't been for you. You are just the kind of guy I would love to be friends with. You made Twilight so, so interesting. And that scene at the end of Eclipse when you told Edward that Bella loves you too? I almost died. I mean, that was one of the best scenes in modern fiction. Seriously, Jacob, it was, and that was because of you!
It's cool how you were always there for Bella, no matter what the consequences—not that she deserved your unwavering loyalty. It is also cool how you not only ride motorcycles, but you also fix them. You're a man's man and a ladies' man, Jacob Black.
But do you wanna know what's not cool? It's so not cool how you fell in love with baby Renesme.
So. Not. Cool!
I understand that there was some kind of cosmic imprinting thing going on, but yuck! I mean, she's a baby, and she's not even interesting anyway. I personally think your saga would have ended much better if there had never ever been a Renesme. She shouldn't've existed not only from the freak of nature standpoint (cus let's face it, you're a freak of nature too, and I like you a whole lot), but from a literary standpoint. I don't feel like she contributed to the plot at all. It was kind of a mess.
But what do you know about that? Did I just rock your world by revealing that your whole existence takes place within the pages of a book? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to reveal this secret. Darn it! I have to be more careful.
But now that you do know and hopefully you've recovered from the shock a bit, I have to say this: the imprinting business with Renesme, that's not really the universe playing games with you. It's Stephenie Meyer. Oh, in case you didn't know, Stephenie Meyer is the name of your God. She created you.
Anyway, I believe she had you imprint on Renesme for two reasons:
1. She didn't want you to be alone after Bella rejected you but also decided to keep you hanging around on a tight leash (another bad pun, sorry) – but this bit shows that your God does love you – yay!
2. She was sick of people saying that 100ish-year-old Edward diggin' on 18-year-old Bella was disgusting. She wanted them to be like Romeo and Juliet, so innocent, so fated. So what does she do? She takes the heat off of them by giving you an even more disgusting love affair. Gee, thanks, Steph.
I personally think you should be with Leah Clearwater. Maybe if the two of you both gouge out your eyes all Oedipus Rex-style, that horrific imprint will go away, and you can just be together.
I also think there's a chance you could find happiness with Shapri Teak—she lives inside of my book, Farsighted. I'd be more than happy to introduce you…
So…
In summary, while Ms. Meyer clearly loved you, she loved Edward more.
Just like Bella. Ha, burn!
I come from a place of kindness. Eternally yours,
PS Edward sucks! Team Jacob!
PPS Do you know a guy named Sirius Black? If so, are you related to him? You have more in common than just your last name—aaaaawoooo!
Blog Tour Notes
THE BOOK: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com's Kindle store or the eBook retailer of your choice. The paperback edition will be available on November 24 (for the author's birthday).
THE CASH PRIZES: Guess what? You could win a $100 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That's right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you'll be entered into the raffle. I could win $100 too! Please help by voting for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll. To cast your vote, visit the official Farsighted blog tour page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Thank you for your help with that.
THE GIVEAWAYS: Win 1 of 10 autographed copies of Farsighted before its paperback release by entering the giveaway on GoodReads. Perhaps you'd like an autographed postcard from the author; you can request one on her site.
THE AUTHOR: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!
MORE FUN: There's more fun below. Watch the live action Farsighted book trailer and take the quiz to find out which character is most like you!
October 29, 2011
Haunting of a High School Theater + Giveaway
Every proper theater must have a ghost haunting it, and the Bellflower High School Theater was no exception. It was said that years ago the understudy to a play was in love with the leading man. She loved him so much that she conspired to poison the leading lady, his girlfriend, in hopes of stealing the role—and his heart.
[image error]Her plan backfired. When the leading lady became ill, the leading man dropped out of the play to be with her. In an effort to get his attention, the understudy hanged herself in the theater, hoping to be found by the one she loved and rescued. She imagined a happily ever after for them with this damsel in distress plot.
She was found, but not in time. And not by him. A janitor found her body the next day. It was buried, but her spirit never left the theater. It is there that she remains, haunting the theater and all who act upon her stage.
When I was going to school for theater, I had glimpses of this ghost's handiwork. Props that disappeared and reappeared in random places. Books left on chairs that would mysteriously move to another chair when you turned your back—though no one was in the theater. Whispers that echoed backstage when all should be quiet.
But one night, on the opening night of our production of Arsenic and Old Lace, something stranger happened.
It was my job to ring the phone that the leading man would answer. I was young, only in 8th grade compared to the juniors and seniors in the play. I was the understudy to the leading lady. I didn't have a crush on the boy playing Mortimer, but I can't deny some irritation at being cast as understudy just because of my age.
"You're young. You'll be running this theater program by the time you're a junior. They need their chance before they graduate," the theater teacher had told me time and time again.
So, I did my part. I rang the phone on cue, then unplugged it and walked away. The leading man answered the phone, talked and hung up. That should have been it.
Only it wasn't.
The phone kept ringing.
And ringing.
I turned to see if I'd somehow left it plugged in. No, there was the chord, a whole foot apart from its outlet. But the phone wouldn't stop. Mortimer answered it again and adlibbed his way through an unscripted conversation while I scanned the empty backstage.
It was then that I saw a shadow, a wisp of nothing turning the corner. And a chill went up my spine.
Understudies should never be ignored.
~~
I was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. For a chance to win a signed copy of my YA paranormal thriller/romance Forbidden Mind leave a comment below. Leave a unique comment when you 1) Like my Facebook 2) Follow me on Twitter 3) Tweet this 4) Share this on FB 5) Share on G+ 6) Blog about this 7) Buy an eCopy of Forbidden Mind 
Leave a review of Forbidden Mind on Amazon or Goodreads
The winner will be chosen randomly through Random.org on Halloween after midnight PST.
Forbidden Mind (Forbidden, #1) She reads minds. He controls minds. Together, they might get out alive. Available as an eBook or paperback on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords
Haunt Kimberly on Facebook, Twitter and get extra entries to win your book.
Watch the book trailer for Forbidden Mind
October 28, 2011
YA Indie Carnival: Spooky Stories!
This week we share the best Indie book for a frightfully scary Halloween. Since I love Halloween, and am a huge fan of Neil Gaiman's new tradition of All Hallow's Read (giving a scary book for Halloween), I'm excited to share my fiance's brilliant collection of dark short stories… Dark Edge by Dmytry Karpov.
The synopsis… [image error] Ilan has a plan to rescue the Queen. But as he and Tom break into the castle, they quickly learn things won't go smoothly. Even worse, Ilan gets hit in the head and loses his memory. Now it's up to Tom to rescue them all.
There's only one problem. Tom has no idea what the plan is.
More tales…
A man stands at the edge of the world.
~
A vampire chooses between two lives.
~
A couple enters the Garden of Eden.
~
How will their stories end?
~~
I highly recommend this read, plus it's only 99cents on Amazon and FREE on B&N and Smashwords! (for a limited time.)
And I co-wrote one of the stories with Dmytry–Eye of Newt–which you can read on my blog by clicking on the link.
Happy reading!
Check out the rest of my YA Indie Carnival pals for other awesome spooks for the weekend!1.
Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
2.
Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.
Heather Self
4.
T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.
Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
6.
Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.
Lexus Luke
8.
PJ Hoover, Author of SOLSTICE, Blogging at ROOTS IN MYTH
9.
Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
10.
Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
11.
K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
12.
Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
13.
Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga
14.
Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
15.
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
16.
Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
17.
M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping
18.
Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
19.
Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
20.
Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
21.
Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
22.
Nicole Williams, author of Eternal Eden, Falling Eden
23.
Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
24.
Abbi Glines: Breathe, The Vincent Boys, Existence
October 21, 2011
YA Indie Carnival–Halloween Memories–A witch is born
[image error]YA writers and bloggers unite each week to share their thoughts, hopes and dreams about what it's like to go indie in today's publishing world. The future's so bright, we built our own place to play.
This week's topic is about Halloween–a favorite memory from this awesome holiday.
My best Halloween memory isn't from my childhood, it's from 9 years ago this Halloween. The day my first born child was born!
I had been in labor for days. She was due Oct. 28, but apparently preferred to wait until she could be a true Halloween treat.
After days of labor and an emergency C-Section, I expected my first moments with my daughter to be met with a drugged up, sleepy baby. Instead, the first time she looked at me, her big brown eyes were wide with magic. We held each other's gaze for a long moment before they took her away so they could stitch me up. Her small, elfin face peeked through the blanket she was bundled in and I met all the wonder in the universe in that moment.
That year changed my life in my more ways than I can describe in one post. Though she and I weren't released from the hospital until a few days after Halloween, I still brought her home in her cute little pumpkin onesie.
Three daughters and 9 Halloween's later, it's one of our favorite holidays, and it's still full of magic! This year, I am going as a witch, Dmytry as a sorcerer and our children are going as a goth fairy (Oldest Girl), dragon (Middle Girl), and unicorn (Youngest Girl).
Aside from that first Halloween when Oldest Girl entered my life, I think this year is going to be the best Halloween yet.
Now for News!
We have a website! You can run over there to see what's new and exciting with all the members of the Carnival–and let me tell you, we're a busy bunch!
And for more Halloween memories, read on with my fellow carnies:
1.
Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
2.
Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.
Heather Self
4.
T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.
Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
6.
Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.
Lexus Luke
8.
PJ Hoover, Author of SOLSTICE, Blogging at ROOTS IN MYTH
9.
Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
10.
Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
11.
K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
12.
Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
13.
Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga
14.
Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
15.
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
16.
Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
17.
M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping
18.
Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
19.
Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
20.
Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
21.
Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
22.
Nicole Williams, author of Eternal Eden, Falling Eden
23.
Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
24.
Abbi Glines: Breathe, The Vincent Boys, Existence
October 20, 2011
Forbidden Fire-sneak peek-Chapt. 1&2
[image error]Read Forbidden Mind and want a sneak peek into Forbidden Fire? Here are the first 2 chapters for your reading pleasure. Caution: contains spoilers to book 1, Forbidden Mind. So go read that first, if you haven't already. Get it on Amazon, Nook Smashwords, BookieJar, iTunes.
Also, contains typos. Probably. This is an unedited version. Wait til my editor gets his hands on it and it'll be a whole new beast!
~~~
"They've started a fire they can't put out. Will it destroy them… or save them all?"
Sam and Drake may have escaped, but they aren't free—not with a powerful Seeker after them. As Sam struggles with the ethics of her new powers and embraces a blossoming physical relationship with Drake, her friends at Rent-A-Kid face challenges of their own.
With forces coalescing inside and outside the Rent-A-Kid dorms, it's only a matter of time before the fire they started forces each of them to make choices they can't undo. But will it be enough to save them?
Add Forbidden Fire on Goodreads.
~~~
Chapter 1 – Sam
[image error]
Sam
Brad slammed the door so hard the apartment shook, then walked to the trash and shoved torn bits of paper into it. Uh-oh. "Guess it didn't go well?"
He slouched onto the shabby recliner with his computer bag on his lap. He propped his long legs up on the hand-me-down coffee table. "They practically laughed me out of the office."
Drake's arm tightened around me, avoiding the not-quite-healed bullet wound on my arm. I scooted closer to him on the couch. Even without our mental link he felt the shift in my energy at this news.
"We'll just have to go to Plan B," Drake said.
I couldn't speak. We didn't have a Plan B and everyone in the room knew it.
Brad rolled his eyes but also remained silent.
This level of hopelessness wouldn't get us far.
"There's got to be another way to bring our story to the world. Look at how much we've already done. Drake and I escaped Rent-A-Kid. That, in itself, is a miracle! Granted, we had some major setbacks in the process." My hand rested on my bulging belly. My baby. Our baby. Ana's face consumed my thoughts before I pushed them away. No time to dwell on the dead. We had to stay focused on the living, and how to keep them that way.
Drake squeezed my hand. 'We'll keep our baby safe. I promise.'
"I hope so. It's just hard to believe that when I don't see a way out of this. We don't even exist to the rest of the world. At least I don't. How are we going to protect our daughter if we can't even take care of ourselves?"
'First, you need to fully recover. Then we'll make a plan.'
Brad cleared his throat. "Hey guys, it's great that you two lovebirds have the whole telepathic connection going on, but maybe you could talk out loud for those of who don't have para-powers?"
"Sorry. Bad habit." We'd only been together in person for a week. After months of mind talking, we had to remind ourselves to speak out loud.
"I know. I just feel like the third wheel around you guys sometimes." Brad stood up and paced the warn carpet. "Why are all the blinds closed? It's morbid in here. No wonder we're all depressed." He reached for the blind.
"No!" I jumped up off the couch. My heart raced. Panic filled my veins.
"What?" Brad raised an eyebrow and looked to Drake for answers. 'What's she so jumpy about? Pregnancy nerves, probably… '
"I'm not some crazy pregnant lady!"
"Sam, get out of my head. You know I hate that. I think I've been pretty cool with all this super power stuff, what with growing up with Drake, but you can't go reading my mind whenever you want."
"I know, I'm sorry. But just please don't open the blinds."
"She thinks we're being followed," Drake said with doubt in his voice as he gently pulled me back to the couch and rubbed my back with his large, warm hand.
"Gee, thanks for the support." Despite my snark, I rested my head against his shoulder. The feel of his body calmed me—made me feel safe. His scent, the heat from his skin… had some kind of physiological effect that even relaxed our baby.
'Sam, we are safe here.'
Brad dropped the blinds and sat back down. "Have you seen someone? Or… heard someone mentally or something?"
"Not exactly. It's like, you know that feeling when someone is looking at you, like the hairs on the back of your neck are standing at attention? That's what I'm feeling, only mentally. I think someone is trying to lock onto my, or our, mental signatures." My hands twitched nervously until Drake held them still. "It's what I'd do."
"Okay, well, we'll keep the blinds closed if it makes you feel better. So, back to the problem at hand. What do we do now? I thought, after working there for a year, they would at least hear me out. But they said if I want to write fiction I should dump journalism and become a novelist."
"Ouch. I'm so sorry Brad. That sucks," I said.
"Yeah, bro, I know how important your job is to you," Drake said.
I shifted on the couch so I could see both of them, marveling at how different they were in looks and personality. I wondered, not for the first time, how they'd stayed friends all these years. Tall, lanky Brad with his laid back surfer personality and Drake… muscular, angry, intense, Drake. Well, they both liked to surf, so there was that. "I still don't understand why we can't just go to the police. It's not like we live in a third world country. The police here are the good guys, right?"
"In theory," said Brad. "But you're talking about paranormal powers and secret organizations. They could just as easily put you in a mental institution."
"But we can prove we have these powers. They don't have to talk our word for it. They can test us. Then they'd have to at least listen to our story, right?"
"Then they'd just put you in a lab," Brad said.
Drake sneered at him. "I think it's worth a short. The system isn't all bad. Maybe we can get some support. If not, we leave. We haven't committed a crime and we're not a danger to ourselves or others, so they can't keep us against our will."
I shifted under Drake's arm. "You know Brad, I always thought Drake would be the cynical can't-trust-authority one. Not you."
They guys exchanged a look that indicated a history to explain Brad's wariness. Tempted though I might have been, I didn't pry. They'd tell me if they wanted me to know. Mind readers don't keep friends long by prying in their minds at every opportunity.
Brad frowned. "If you guys really want to risk it, I have a contact in the department from my Crime Watch days. We can talk to him tomorrow."
A huge weight lifted off my shoulders. If we could get support from the authorities, we had a chance at success. "In the meantime, I still think we should get our story out there. And I have an idea. Brad, you could use your blog!" I pulled out my computer bag and turned on my MacBook.
"Sam, my blog gets all of twenty hits a day if I'm lucky. That's hardly enough to gain us huge support."
"But anything can go viral at any moment. We just need a little luck and an interesting enough story." I opened a webpage and emailed the link to Brad. "Read that. It's an article about blogs that went viral, and how they did it. You've got a good following on Twitter. We just need to make the story sexy and enticing, something people want to share. It's the only way I can see to get our story out. Plus, your blog can go international, unlike this newspaper. Even if they print your story, getting a few supporters in Los Angeles isn't going to get us far. We need to reach the world. This is the way."
Brad used his iPhone to read the article. "I guess it might work. But I'll need to do a series on you two, especially you, Sam. And we'll have to include the evidence Ana gave you. Pictures, names, places, the genetic experiments they are doing on the kids there. All of it."
I nodded and set my laptop on the coffee table, covering a series of overlapping pale rings of stains.
I lifted myself off the couch, feeling awkward and large with the baby belly, and walked the few steps to the tiny kitchen. We were lucky that Brad's roommate had recently moved out, leaving a spare room for us to crash in while we planned our next move. "Drake, where did you put the ibuprofen? My arm is seriously burning again."
"I could've gotten it for you. It's in the cupboard above the sink."
The small bottle hid behind mugs and a can off coffee. I poured water and downed two tablets. "I appreciate it, but I am capable of getting things for myself." My words came out harsher than I intended. I softened my voice. "But thank you for the offer."
His large framed appeared in the kitchen, blocking my way out. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I tried to scoot past him.
He rested a hand on my face. "What's wrong? Are you still angry that I used mind control on you when we were escaping?"
"No, I'm not. I told you, I understand why you did it. I'd been shot. Was pregnant. Ana had been killed. We needed to get out of there before they recaptured us. I get it. Like I said that night, I can't judge you for something that I can justify doing myself. The end justifies the means sometimes, right?"
"Then why do I get the feeling you don't fully trust me? Or that you're scared or something?"
"I am scared, but not of you. And I do trust you, Drake. You saved my life, and our baby. It's just, being here, stuck in this tiny apartment, not doing anything to help Luke and Lucy get out of there, it's making me crazy. Everyone's treating me like an invalid, when I'm not!"
"Sam, you got shot. By a gun—"
"—It was just a graze, hardly a real wound—"
"—and you're pregnant with some kind of super baby, with no real medical care. Do you blame me for worrying about you? You could have died that night, Sam. That thought haunts me every moment of every day. The thought of losing you… and her…." His left hand rested on my belly.
Our little girl, Ana, kicked hard, causing us both to smile.
My body leaned into his, my hands looked so small against his strong chest. An electric pulse seared us as our lips touched. Our breath mingled, the taste and scent of him so familiar, so right. Barely a week had passed since we met in person. But the mental link we'd shared for months, thanks to my mind reading and his mind control abilities, sealed us together in a way a even a physical relationship couldn't have. Now that we had the physical, we were like one heart—one mind—sharing two bodies.
I pulled back from him just enough to look into his beautiful blue eyes. "I'm sorry I snapped. I know you just want me safe. I love you so much."
"I love you too. Now, will you let me check your arm? I want to make sure that it's not getting infected."
"Yeah, I guess. Just no poking!"
He grinned. "Sure, no poking."
Without warning, Drake swooped me up and carried me to the kitchen table like I weighed twenty pounds and not one hundred and… well, more than I did before the organization made me pregnant. I sometimes forgot about Drake's super strength, he made it a point to be gentle with me.
I punched him lightly on the chest. "You know you're going to give me a heart attack if you keep doing that!"
"It's my job to sweep you off your feet every once in awhile!"
He sat me gently on the kitchen chair and unwound the gauze around my arm. I peeked over my shoulder to assess the healing. The shallow groove through my arm created by a .22 caliber bullet had scabbed over, though still looked pretty raw. The stitched up surgical gouge Ana had created when she removed a tracking device from my arm actually looked worse, and caused the most pain. Drake's seemed to be healing up well, nearly a scar by now. His super strength allowed his body a faster regeneration and healing cycle. I'd have given a lot for that para-power.
The hydrogen peroxide stung as he dabbed it on both wounds. I bit my lip and stayed still.
"Am I hurting you?"
"No. The medicine is. Keep going."
He put the cotton ball down. "I'm done anyways. No infection has set in as far as I can see. You're healing well." He rewrapped my arm with clean gauze, taped it closed gently and rolled down the sleeve of my blue long-sleeved shirt.
He planted a kiss on my forehead. "How you feeling?"
"Tired. I swear this baby is sucking away at my life force. She's like a little leech!" Just as I said that a burst of heat exploded in my abdomen. I bent over, not in pain but in fear and discomfort.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Drake's voice shook.
"I don't know."
Brad approached. "Dude, she okay?"
Drake ignored him and directed all his attention to me.
I explained to them what I'd felt. "I think… this may sound crazy, but I think it's the baby trying to use her powers."
Drake knelt to his knees and examined my face and body. "Do you know what her powers are?"
"No. Right now it's just a sense. I'm okay." To prove it, I sat up straighter and smiled. "Didn't hurt, just surprised me. But she's definitely active!"
Brad handed me a glass of water. I nodded thanks and drank it down in one gulp. He refilled the glass three more times before I had my fill.
"Thirsty much?" Brad teased.
"Guess so. Weird. It was like all the liquid in my body evaporated, leaving me dry as the desert. I've never been so thirsty in my life."
Drake rested a cool hand on my head. "Your color is coming back. You were pretty pale there for a few minutes. You feel warm, but not too hot. How are you now?"
"Okay I think."
Drake helped me up. "Maybe you should lay down for a few minutes."
I didn't want to waste any time resting, but when I tried to walk I nearly collapsed. So, yeah, maybe resting made sense.
"I'm gonna carry you, K?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Drake just smiled his impish grin. Nope, I apparently did not have a choice.
Once again he lifted me into his arms and walked with me to our bedroom and bed.
He opened our bedroom window. A salty breeze floated in. Brad lived down the street from the ocean. I loved the smell and energy of the ocean.
Drake sunk into the bed next to me and my body rolled right into him. "Did you do that on purpose?" I asked. A smile stretched across my lips. Despite everything, these tiny moments of contact, of love, held so much joy for me. I couldn't let myself forget that.
His eyes twinkled in mischief. "Maybe."
More heat as our lips touched. My belly and heart fluttered in unison. I pulled my mouth far enough away to talk. "You know this isn't exactly relaxing."
"You're right. You need rest."
Even as he said this his hand traveled up my leg, hips and waist, over my ribs, brushing gently against the side of my breast. My breath caught in my chest. A whole new kind of heat flooded my body. I wanted him so badly, my body craved him, but despite sharing a bed since our escape, we hadn't crossed that last line. The irony of our predicament did not escape me. If anyone so much as cracked a Virgin Mary joke they would lose key body parts. But I wanted my first time to be… well, duh—special! Not that it wouldn't be special with Drake, but doing it for the first time while pregnant felt… weird. Doing it for the first time with a newborn to nurse probably wouldn't feel any less weird, I reminded myself.
"You look far away," Drake said, so close I could taste his breath.
"Just thinking… about us and you know… sex."
"There's no rush, Sam. I'm not going anywhere."
"I know. I don't feel pressure from you."
He chose that moment to push into my hips.
"Okay, maybe I do feel a certain kind of pressure from you," I teased. "But you know what I mean. I just, it's so weird. This whole thing is so backwards!"
"Yeah, we don't do things in a very normal way."
"Guess not. I'm just so glad we're finally together and have the space to work through all this. I missed you. Even though we hadn't met yet, my body missed you. Does that even make sense?"
He nudged my nose with his. "I don't know if it makes sense, but I felt the same way too. But you have me now. Both of you do."
Brad interrupted us, calling from the living room. "Hey guys, get in here. I want to get this first blog post up and I need to ask you a few questions."
We both sighed.
Before Drake could say no, I sat up. "We should do this now. The sooner we do, the sooner we save our friends."
Drake held his hand out to me. "Shall we?"
He helped me out of the bed and rubbed my shoulders as we went back to the living room for our interview with Brad.
Brad looked up from his computer. "Hope I didn't interrupt anything."
Drake scowled at him.
Brad laughed. "Ready to be famous, kids?"
"Maybe if you make us famous enough, I'll finally get a real last name, driver's license and, you know, identification of some sort. I'd like to not have to be chauffeured around the rest of my life."
"So picky. Some people are just never satisfied," said Brad.
"Pfft. Didn't you have actual questions to ask us?" I asked.
"Yeah, okay. I'm going to do a series on you, Sam. I'll throw in some of Drake's story as well, since he was kidnapped and taken by force as an adult, he offers a different perspective."
"Makes sense." I looked to Drake. He nodded.
Brad balanced a yellow legal pad scribbled with notes on one knee and his laptop on the other. "What's the first memory you have of your childhood, Sam?"
Drake's body pressed into me, or I into him, I couldn't tell, as I thought back to my earlier years. "I don't know if this is my first memory or not, but I was young, four or five-years-old, and my teacher was asking me a question."
"Hello Sam, what are you drawing?" Mrs. Rosewood asked.
"It's a mommy and a daddy with a little girl," I answered.
"Are you the little girl?"
"No. I don't have a mommy and daddy."
"That's because you are a very special little girl, with very special gifts." ~'so awful that these kids are taken so young… no family… alone… breaks my heart…'~
I touched her hand. "Don't let your heart break, Mrs. Rosewood, I'm okay. I'm not alone. I have you."
"Sam, did you just read my mind?" Mrs. Rosewood pulled her hand away.
"I don't know what that means. You said it was awful, that I was alone and your heart was breaking. Don't be sad. I'm not."
"Mrs. Rosewood rushed out of the room and the next day I was moved to a different class. Looking back, I don't understand. I was already at Rent-A-Kid. That's what we called it. And they knew what I was, that I could read minds. I guess this teacher just wasn't prepared for it. It freaked her out. After that, I stopped responding to people's thoughts. I learned to tell the difference."
Brad nodded without looking up, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
"No wonder you and Drake bonded. He's had similar experiences."
Catching Drake's eye, I smiled and blew a kiss at him. He leaned down to make it real.
"Get a room guys."
"We had one. You interrupted," Drake said without looking at Brad.
"After the interview!"
We pulled away from each other slightly and put our focus back on Brad.
"You can read minds, and you just recently learned to control minds. Which power do you like best or find more useful?"
"I don't like using the mind control, but reading minds isn't as fun as it sounds either." Drake tensed next to me but I refused to acknowledge the discomfort inherent in this topic.
"Why don't you like being able to control minds? I think everyone would want that power."
"It makes me feel… dirty. When… " I looked at Drake, then looked away. "When it was done to me, I realized how it felt to be in that position of powerlessness. I'd never want to make anyone feel that way."
Brad picked up on the hollowness of my voice. He looked at me, then Drake, then cleared his throat.
"Okay, umm…What are some of your friend's para-powers?"
Should I talk about my friends? I guess it makes sense to tell everything, that's why we're doing this, right? "My best friend, Lucy, can always tell if someone is lying. She's a pain in the butt to be around sometimes."
Brad laughed. "I can't imagine what that's like."
I threw a couch pillow at him. "Her twin, Luke, is also my best friend. He walks through walls, or anything solid. There are teens and kids with all kinds of powers. Super strength and mind control like Drake. Fire starting. The ability to freeze things. Seduction."
Brad's eyes perked up. "Seduction, huh? Is this a sexy girl, by chance?"
"You are such a man. Yes, she's sexy. No, you can't date her. She's a bitch."
"Ok, what else?"
"Hmm… teleporting, floating in the air, levitation… just about anything you can imagine."
"What's the worst thing you ever had to do for them?"
Five years of assignments—of spying on people with my 'gift'—flooded my mind. The worst thing? How do you pick out the worst from a sea of awful?
[image error]Chapter 2 – Lucy
"Tell me more about her friends. Who did she hang out with? Who would she contact on the outside for help?"
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the large man in black. Such a stereotype, like he'd just walked off the set of "Men in Black." "I've told you everything I know. Sam didn't know anyone on the outside. None of us do. How would we? As for her friends… we were it. And really only out of pity. She was a total loner. We felt sorry for her."
Mr. Black—not his real name—stood up and towered over her. Probably going for the intimidating look. Lucy didn't flinch. "Look smart ass. I've got a guy in there with your brother. I may not have super powers like you freaks, but I will find out if you're lying."
"Luke will tell you the same thing. We hung out with her once in awhile, to make her feel better. Yeah, she was our friend, but we didn't know she was planning on escaping. I thought she was in New York. Why wasn't she in New York, by the way? Why did she need to escape at all?"
The man, a new grunt at Rent-A-Kid, now head grunt apparently, shuffled his feat imperceptibly. Lucy waited for him to answer, to say anything, so she could detect his lies.
His voice hovered on the brink of a scream. "I'm asking the questions here, not you. I need to know who her outside contact is. She must have one, to have gotten so far without a trace. Tell me now!"
Lucy growled in frustration. He had to actually answer a question for her para-power to work. Either he knew that and avoided giving her what she needed, or he was just a pain in the ass naturally. She suspected both. "You can yell at me all you want, Mr. Black. I can't tell you what I don't know. Would you rather I make something up just to get you off my back?"
Behind her, a door opened and closed. Mr. Black looked over Lucy's head at whoever had entered. Lucy turned her head for a better view. Ah, the man who had been sent to interrogate Luke. The creased brow, sweaty pits and frown made Lucy fight back a laugh. Guess he had as much luck with her twin as Mr. Black had with her. Bummer.
The two men stormed out of the room, taking copious amounts of testosterone with them. Lucy leaned back with a tight smile on her lips and twirled her long dark hair through her fingers. She stared at the blank wall in front of her, unsurprised when Luke walked through it.
"That was fun!" His grin, so boyish and sweet, reminded her of their childhood, when they still had hope for a better future. Luke switched to their made-up secret language. "Oh cheer up sis, Sam is fine, I'm sure. She'll contact us when she can. She just needs to rest a bit."
"I know. I just miss her like crazy. Her pale little face haunting the halls!"
Luke's head perked up like a puppy. "They're coming. Catch ya on the flip side, sis." He faded back into the wall, leaving Lucy alone in the stale room. But not for long.
Mr. Black and his sidekick came back in, looking not at all nicer than they had before. Shocker.
He growled at her with the face of a bulldog. "You and your brother have been less than helpful. But we have no choice but to let you go. However, know this—if we find out you are hiding something, or that you know more than you are saying about Sam, it won't end well for either of you. Got it?"
Lucy stood and gave a mock salute. "Yes, Sir. Permission to return to my dorm, Sir."
Mr. Black balled his fists. Lucy knew she should feel fear, but couldn't muster it. The whole world had gone mad and seemed more like a dream than reality. How could she be scared of a dream? Side-kick stepped between them and not-too-roughly ushered her out before it got ugly—or uglier.
Luke waited in the hall for her in the office building that had been cleared out of all warmth and taste and replaced by a tacky military-like set-up to house the new grunts. So. Many. New. Grunts. It looked like an old G.I. Joe board game had thrown up on their campus and grown men had turned into war-playing boys.
Lucy ran her hand over the chrome desks as they walked out, thinking back to the rich mahogany wood that had once been there. Why take out all the nice furniture? They could've at least pretended to fit in. She had a theory that they needed this set-up to convince themselves they were real men doing a real job. Yeah, cuz holding guns on a school full of kids and teenagers was so brave.
A guard at the door let them out of the building, and bright sunlight blinded her. Two hours of interrogations was two hours too long!
Luke slung his arm over her. "You hungry?"
"Starved!"
They walked the winding paths to The Hub, a place that had once, not so long ago, been festive and fun. All the shops still remained open for business, but with armed guards lining the cobbled sidewalks it somehow lost its charm. Still, they needed food and the cafeteria had closed about halfway into their little chat with the men in black.
A bell jingled as they walked into Café Amour (a very ironic name given the very UN-loving environment they were being forced to endure) and took a seat by the window.
"So, did you catch him in any lies?" Luke asked.
They had been speaking in their made up language more in the last week than in their entire lives combined, it seemed.
"No. He didn't offer any information, so he could avoid lying probably."
"Luce, you could've asked him a question and watched for signs. You should be a natural, like in that show 'Lie To Me.'"
A skinny blond waitress came over to take their order. All the regular staff had been mysteriously replaced by new, boring people.
She closed the menu she'd been holding without looking in it. "Hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes and a Coke please."
"And I'll have—"
The blond interrupted him. "Sorry, we don't have hot turkey sandwiches anymore—or Coke. Read the new menu."
Luke and Lucy both opened their menus back up, actually reading them for the first time in about a year.
Everything had been crossed out. In sharpie marker at the bottom there were three items listed.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich $7.99
Cold Turkey Sandwich $9.99
Bottled Water $3.99
Lucy glared at the girl. "What the hell kind of crap is this? You're overcharging us for this?"
She backed away and raised her hands in surrender. "Don't blame me. Talk to the people in charge. We can only serve what they give us."
Lucy and Luke shared a glance, then got up as one and walked out, slamming the door behind them.
Lucy's pace quickened into an angry run. "I can't believe this crap, what the hell is going on here?"
Luke kept easy pace beside her. "I don't know, but things are going from bad to worse around here. Whatever trouble Sam and Drake caused by escaping, I think it's just the beginning."
The headmaster's offices still held the regal majesty of old world style and grace, despite the slew of guards hovering around the main entrance like bored flies.
The head fly stepped forward when they approached.
"State your business."
Lucy slowed her breathing enough to scowl at the man. "You've got to be kidding me. We need to speak the headmaster. Duh." She gestured at the building.
"He's not available."
Luke flexed his muscles and stepped forward, trying to look scary and badass, she assumed. "He has an open door policy. He can't be unavailable."
"What is the nature of your request?" asked the drone in black.
Why so much black? Like guards gone goth around here. Ugh. "I'm hungry," Lucy said, pushing her petite frame into his personal space. "And the food here has turned to shit. Overpriced shit at that. We need to talk to the Headmaster now."
"All administrative and campus related questions can now go through the new headquarters."
Lucy frowned. "You mean that sorry excuse for a bunker with all the men in black drones? No way." Had Higgins become someone's puppet?
Speak of the devil. The headmaster himself walked by, catching Lucy's eye as he did.
She shoved the guard aside, who stumbled in surprise. "What's going on, Headmaster? Why can't we talk to you? Why the food change and all the guards?"
The headmaster fidgeted with his briefcase. His normally impeccably tailored suite wrinkled and frumpy and his dark skin showed signs of stress.
"I can't talk about it Lucy, I'm sorry." He wasn't lying. Whatever he meant by "can't" was at least truth to him.
"Just do what they say." With that, he walked away, leaving Lucy surrounded by angry guards.
Luke dragged her out and steered her to their dorm room. "Well?"
"He's not lying. And he's in trouble. Something really bad is happening here."
A loudspeaker interrupted them. "ATTENTION STUDENTS. NEW CURFEW IS NOW 9 P.M. BE IN YOUR DORMS BY 9 P.M."
Luke stared at the sky, like the man behind the voice would magically appear there. "That was succinct and to the point."
"Yeah. Let's get out of here. We need to start thinking of a plan. I have a bad feeling about all this."
The twins shared a suite on the floor lovingly referred to as the Creepy Crawly Ward. They'd just made it to their room when one of the younger students, a freshman, approached them.
Lucy couldn't remember his name, or his para-power, but like all the Rent-A-Kids, she did recognize him from around campus.
"Luke, Lucy, I'm glad I caught you. Can I talk to you in your room?"
Luke raised an eyebrow. Lucy shrugged. They opened their door and let the boy in. Luke flopped into a recliner in their shared common room. "What's up?"
The boy stood in the middle of the modest room, twitching like a bug had crawled up his pants. Lucy leaned against the couch, but didn't sit down. Her stomach grumbled loudly enough for the whole room to hear, reminding her of her unsatiated hunger.
The boy spoke to the floor. "Umm… well… a few of us were wondering… since, like, you were, like, best friends with Sam… you know—the girl who escaped—that maybe you'd like to join us in a Freedom Fighter meeting tonight." Only after he'd gotten all those painful words out did he finally attempt eye contact, albeit briefly.
Luke's face hardened and he shot Lucy a warning look. She nodded. Best play it safe. "What's the Freedom Fighters?"
His voice dropped to a barely perceptible whisper. "A group of students are coming together to, you know, fight back. And… escape."
The last word floated on the air so gently, Lucy wasn't sure if she'd really even heard it or if she's only imagined it. Escape? How could they possibly escape with this much heightened security? If it was impossible before Sam and Drake got away, it was even more so now. No, they weren't stupid enough to get involved in something that crazy. It would be suicide.
The boy's brown eyes turned into saucers, pleading with Lucy. "Will you at least come to the meeting and see what it's about?"
She looked at Luke, whose face had an odd expression of rage and mania. Did he want to do this? Not happening. No way, no how. She crossed her arms and held her ground.
Which was why she was so surprised when she found herself siting in the middle of a group of protestors planning their great escape. Suicide mission indeed.
[image error]
Correction: Launch date is mid-November
October 12, 2011
Get Your Signed Copy of "Forbidden Mind" with BONUSES!
[image error]Halloween is almost here and I am SO excited. I love this time of year. I also love All Hallow's Read and wanted to do something fun for you all to encourage buying and giving spooky books!
So, for a limited time, purchase a personalized, signed paperback copy of Forbidden Mind and get three bonus gifts FREE! (and a super-exciting 4th surprise bonus!!)
Now's your chance to get a copy for yourself or buy one for a friend as an All Hallow's Read gift!
What others are saying about Forbidden Mind:
"Forbidden Mind is a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews
"Do not make any plans on the day you begin, as once you start, you will not be able to put it down." – L.M. Stull
"…hooked me in from the beginning." – L.E. Manning
"This book was fantastic!" – P. Larsen
"Forbidden Mind is beautifully written and worth your reading time." – BookWormSans
"Definite must read. For once you start, you simply can't stop. 5 out of 5 stars!" – H. Badgwell
~~~~~~~~~~
Sam thinks she's months away from freedom. After spending her life in a secret school, rented out to the rich and powerful as a paranormal spy, she is ready to head to college like any normal eighteen-year-old.
Only Sam isn't normal. She reads minds. And just before her big going-away party, she links to the mind of a young man who changes everything.
Drake wasn't raised as a 'Rent-A-Kid.' He was kidnapped and taken there by force. But his exceptional physical strength and powers of mind control make him very dangerous, especially to Sam.
When they meet, Sam is forced to face the truth of her situation, and to acknowledge that not all is as it seems in her picture-perfect world. For what awaits her on her eighteenth birthday isn't a trip to college, but an unexpected nightmare from which she may not be able to escape.
To survive, they must work together.
But will their powers be enough to save them before it's too late?
~~~
BONUSES!!
Get 3 great bonuses when you purchase a personalized, signed copy of Forbidden Mind!
1. A free PDF of my first book Bits of You & Pieces of Me. This is a collection of [image error]short stories, poetry and essays that tell the story of a girl in love with love who discovers the demons of a splintered heart when that love turns violent. For your All Hallow's Read spook, check out some of the short horror stories included in this collection! They will leave you breathless!
2. A free never-before-seen PDF of the short story, Destiny's Son. Kian O'Riley discovers his destiny when something evil kidnaps his best friend's sister. (From the world of Death by Destiny, meet Kian before he fulfills his true destiny with Corinne!)
3. Already own the eBook of Forbidden Mind? Or want to get it now for a quick and easy read? Send me verification of your purchase and I'll refund $2 of your purchase price for the paperback! (must submit proof of purchase within 24 hours of paying for paperback to receive rebate.)
SURPRISE BONUS!
4. The first 5 people to order their copy will get their name in the 3rd and final Forbidden book, with a para-power of their choice. (some restrictions apply… as in, you can't pick a power of one of the main characters… mind reading, mind control etc.)
How to get your copy!
FORBIDDEN MIND
$7.99 for paperback
Domestic (US) S&H $6.01 Total $14.00
International (Any country outside US) $11.01 Total $19.00
S&H options
US $14.00
International $19.00
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: Evolved Publishing (September 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1466337931
ISBN-13: 978-1466337930
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
Why so much for S&H?
I've done this once before for my last book, and I ended up losing money on S&H. Between buying the envelopes for the books, paying the shipping to get the books to me, THEN ship them to you and all the time involved, it was more than I bargained for. Plus international shipping rates can be tricky and expensive. I'm sorry it's so much. If you feel this is unfair, email me at kimberly.kinrade@gmail.com and I'll look at your location and cost of shipping on a case by case basis. But I can't list every shipping price known to man here.
I hope that the extra gifts I'm including in this package, plus having a signed copy of the book, will make it worth it. I realize this is a shorter book (132 pages) and is not hardback, so may not seem worth spending so much on. You can certainly go to Amazon and get it for $7.99 with minimal shipping. However, it won't be personalized, nor will you get the other bonuses included!
Get Forbidden Mind on Amazon, Smashwords, BookieJar, iTunes or add it to your Goodreads list.
And look for the sequel, Forbidden Fire, coming soon!
October 7, 2011
YA Indie Carnival–My favorite character
[image error]YA writers and bloggers unite each week to share their thoughts, hopes and dreams about what it's like to go indie in today's publishing world. The future's so bright, we built our own place to play.
This week's topic is my favorite character.
This is a tough one, as I love all my characters so much! (Why else would I spend every day all day with them?) But I'd have to say that Sebastian from The Reluctant Familiar is one of my favorites to write.
The Reluctant Familiar is scheduled for launch sometime in late January or February of 2012. I'm so excited about this series, largely because of this character. In the first book, Agnes is a young witch in a powerful witch family–but she has no perceivable powers and she hasn't bonded with a Familiar yet. This is not acceptable because of her family's standing on the Witch's High Council, so they constantly test her, push her and expose her to the best litters around, hoping she'll bond and show some power.
It's not until she meets Sebastian that everything changes. Agnes thinks he's an alley cat being attacked by ravenous dogs. She finds out he's really a god, on… shall we say… 'sabbatical' from his duties in the City of Gods. The last thing he wants is to be stuck with a witch. When they bond, it's for life… and an immortal life at that.
Sebastian is witty, irreverent, arrogant, and hilarious. All the things you'd think of when you imagine a cat/god mix. Throughout the book his bond with Agnes grows and though he starts out as a very reluctant familiar, he can't help but develop real feelings for the spunky girl he's now attached to.
I hope you check out The Reluctant Familiar when it launches! In the meantime, you can enjoy kids with para-powers fighting an evil organization in Forbidden Mind, with the launch of Forbidden Fire just around the corner!
If you want to learn more about that series, fellow carnie Dani Snell is hosting me on her blog with a giveaway for the first book in my Forbidden series, Forbidden Mind. You can read it HERE. And check out the awesome review she did as well!
A couple of announcements this week!
Rachel Coles has a new anthology of ghost stories out on Kindle! You can find Beyond The Veil: A Ghost Story Anthology there!
And Darby Karchut just found out her book, Griffin Rising, is a nominee for the 2011 Cyblis Awards (YA Fantasy). Congratulations, Darby!
Laura A.H. Elliot is in Portland, OR tonight, Friday, October 7th from 6:30-8:15 at the West Linn Library. She's on tour with The Rain Boots Required Young Adult Authors talking about "The magic of realism." If you're in Portland, check it out!
Now, check it out and see what favorites the other carnies have to share with you:
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Courtney Cole Author of Every Last Kiss, Fated, Princess, and Guardian. Also a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Nicole Williams Author of Eternal Eden, and Fallen Eden. She is also a contributing author in the Glassheart Chronicles
Fisher Amelie Author of The Understorey, as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Laura A. H. Elliott Author of Winnemucca as well as 13 on Halloween, book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
Amy Maurer Jones Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer Author of Diary of a Duct Tape Zombie, Whistles, Beergarden, Plagues, Bees of St. John, and Mushrooms
T. R. Graves T.R. Graves: Author of Warriors of the Cross
P.J. Hoover Author of Solstice, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, The Necropolis
Cidney Swanson Author of Rippler
Heather Cashman Author of Perception
Abbi Glines Author of Breathe, and the upcoming Existence and Vincent Boys
Cheri Schmidt Author of Fateful, Fractured, and Fair Maiden
Lexus Luke Author of Manitou, The Sky People Saga
Suzy Turner Author of December Moon and Raven
K. C. Blake Author of Vampire Rules
Gwenn Wright Author of Filter
Patti Larsen Author of THE HUNTED series (Run, Hide, Fight, Hunt) & Family Magic
Darby Karchut Author of Griffin Rising and the upcoming Griffin's Fire
Madeline Smoot Author of Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
M. Leighton Author of the Blood Like Poison Series, Wiccan, Caterpillar, Madly & Wolfhardt & The Reaping
October 1, 2011
Happy All Hallow's Read. Here's a free book!
[image error]It's October 1st right… NOW! And I love October. And fall. And Halloween. And All Hallow's Read, a great new tradition created by Neil Gaiman last Halloween, whereby everyone gives a scary book to each other for Halloween.
So that's what I'm doing. I'm holding a book giveaway on Goodreads and giving three lucky winners a signed copy of Forbidden Mind. Think X-Men meets human trafficking! After all, what's scarier than paranormal teenagers raised in secret and rented out to the rich and powerful? Well, there is one thing scarier, but that would be a spoiler, so you'll have to read the book to find out!
Why should you care? Well, here's what others are saying…
"Do not make any plans on the day you begin, as once you start, you will not be able to put it down." – L.M. Stull
"…hooked me in from the beginning." – L.E. Manning
"This book was fantastic!" – P. Larsen
"Forbidden Mind is beautifully written and worth your reading time." – BookWormSans
"Definite must read. For once you start, you simply can't stop. 5 out of 5 stars!" – H. Badgwell
Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade
Sam thinks she's months away from freedom. After spending her life in a secret school, [image error]rented out to the rich and powerful as a paranormal spy, she is ready to head to college like any normal eighteen-year-old.
Only Sam isn't normal. She reads minds. And just before her big going-away party, she links to the mind of a young man who changes everything.
Drake wasn't raised as a 'Rent-A-Kid.' He was kidnapped and taken there by force. But his exceptional physical strength and powers of mind control make him very dangerous, especially to Sam.
When they meet, Sam is forced to face the truth of her situation, and to acknowledge that not all is as it seems in her picture-perfect world. For what awaits her on her eighteenth birthday isn't a trip to college, but an unexpected nightmare from which she may not be able to escape.
To survive, they must work together.
But will their powers be enough to save them before it's too late?
~~~
Enter here for your chance to win a free signed copy… Can't wait til the end of October to get your copy? Get it on sale for $2.99 on Amazon, Smashwords, BookieJar or B&N
Don't worry, you can still win the signed paperback if you buy the eBook! It's the best of both worlds. And watch for the sequel, Forbidden Fire, on Halloween day.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Forbidden Mind
by Kimberly Kinrade
Giveaway ends October 18, 2011.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
September 30, 2011
Casting Call for FORBIDDEN MIND
[image error]Casting Call is now open for FORBIDDEN MIND, the screenplay based on the New York Time's Bestselling Novel of the same name by Kimberly Kinrade.
Hey, a girl's gotta have some dreams, right? While Forbidden Mind might not have hit any bestseller lists in the few weeks it's been out, this week's YA Indie Carnival has inspired me to pick my dream cast in anticipation for the future!
And I gotta tell you, this was harder than I thought. So don't hold it against me if I fall back on some tried and true names.
When I call your name, come on forward and pick up a script. It's time to get this show on the road.
*drum roll please*
[image error]
Taylor Lautner as Luke
Taylor Lautner, thank you for your audition. While you won't be shape-shifting into any wolves in this movie, you will get to walk through walls! You've been cast as Luke, the charming twin of Lucy and best friend to Sam.
You are strong, dependable and funny… and did I mention sneaky? After all, you do spy on people for a living!
So get ready to walk through walls and spend all your time with girls who read minds or can always tell if you're lying… (aren't you glad Bella didn't have that power? )– though I imagine you are pretty tired of people having full access to your mind, at least you know the part well! You'll be a natural as Luke.
Here's your script. Be ready for rehearsals next week. (And yes, we will find reasons for you to run around without a shirt… even though the story line doesn't call for it… because… well… you're hot!)
Next up… Vanessa Marano as Lucy! We just adored you in Switched At Birth and think
[image error]
Vanessa Marano as Lucy
you will rock the spunky, snarky, fiesta roll of Lucy. Oh, and did I mention you can always tell when people are lying? Bet you wish you had that para-power in your current television series, eh? Might've saved you a lot of heartache.
As a bonus, you get to be super tight with Taylor. As a not-so-great-bonus, you're related to him in the movie, so no love interest, sorry. But who knows what sparks might fly in the sequel, Forbidden Fire. After all, you do play a much more prominent roll in that book! Congrats.
Okay, the couple you've all been waiting for…
[image error]
Paul Wesley as Drake
Paul Wesley, please step up. Yup, once again you get cast in the super hunky main love interest with supernatural powers. You are extra strong and you can control minds. Not much different than being a vampire, only you don't have to live off blood or wear an ugly ring to play in the sun. How much do you love me now? Welcome to the cast and enjoy the freedom! (Even though you are kinda being help prisoner for much of the book and movie… )
And finally… the girl we all know and love. She's sweet, she's spunky and she reads minds…
Britt Robertson, you're up for Sam! I watched Life Unexpected straight through and
[image error]
Britt Robertson as Sam
just loved it. I cried at the end. You will make a perfect Sam with your blend of innocence and world-weary wisdom. Plus you are super cute and you have her eyes! I know you will bring this incredible girl to life and give her story justice. And you totally nailed the whole growing up without parents thing, so you and Sam will get along just fine.
So, welcome everyone. Sorry to those who auditioned but didn't make it. We will be casting more paranormal teens in the next book/movie so don't give up. You might still get some para-powers of your very own.
To get a true feel for the characters, you should all read the book. And lucky you, in anticipation of the launch of Forbidden Fire, Forbidden Mind is now on sale for only $2.99 as an eBook through Evolved Publishing. Get your copy on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, BookieJar or iBooks.
~~Oh, and if you who are reading this happen to be in the movie business, have your people call my people. This would make a great movie or HBO series!~~
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And go say hi to my fellow YA Indie Carnival peeps!
Exciting News: Gwenn Wright's The Von Strassenberg Saga. Dani just released (and designed!) the official cover for BlueStocking Girl! Check out Gwenn's awesome video
New Release: Laura A. H. Elliott's 13 on Halloween! Check out the Book trailer & an excerpt!
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Patti Larsen Author of The Ghost Boy of MacKenzie House, The Hunted Series and the Hayle Coven Novels
Courtney Cole Author of Every Last Kiss, Fated, Princess, and Guardian. Also a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Nicole Williams Author of Eternal Eden, and Fallen Eden. She is also a contributing author in the Glassheart Chronicles
Fisher Amelie Author of The Understorey, as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Laura A. H. Elliott Author of Winnemucca as well as 13 on Halloween, book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
Amy Maurer Jones Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer Author of Diary of a Duct Tape Zombie, Whistles, Beergarden, Plagues, Bees of St. John, and Mushrooms
T. R. Graves T.R. Graves: Author of Warriors of the Cross
P.J. Hoover Author of Solstice, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, The Necropolis
Alicia McCalla Author of the upcoming science-fiction novel Breaking Free
Heather Cashman Author of Perception
Abbi Glines Author of Breathe, and the upcoming Existence and Vincent Boys
Cheri Schmidt Author of Fateful, Fractured, and Fair Maiden
Lexus Luke Author of Manitou, The Sky People Saga
Suzy Turner Author of December Moon and Raven
K. C. Blake Author of Vampire Rules
Gwenn Wright Author of Filter
Darby Karchut Author of Griffin Rising and the upcoming Griffin's Fire
Madeline Smoot Author of Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
M. Leighton Author of the Blood Like Poison Series, Wiccan, Caterpillar, Madly & Wolfhardt & The Reaping
September 19, 2011
A giveaway for launch of Forbidden Mind!
[image error]Over at my dear friend L.M. Stull's blog, you can read about my Forbidden Love and how it inspired the mind connection and romance between Sam and Drake in my new paranormal thriller/romance "Forbidden Mind."
Many of you know my love story, or have followed us at WritingInLove.com.
In the normal course of our lives, Dmytry Karpov and I would never have met. Unless I did a guest lecture at the college where he was a student… in another country.
Age difference, cultural difference… ours was not an easy match by society's standard. His friends and family thought he was nuts for falling in love with a woman he met online. A woman with three kids, no less!
Many thought him too young to handle the responsibilities of family life. But he is proving everyone wrong. He is an amazing father and partner and I am the luckiest woman in the world because of him. I get to spend my life with the man I love, who loves me. My kids get a fantastic father. And, he's an epically awesome writer! You should check out his book, Dark Edge. It's awesome!
So while some might think the romance between Sam and Drake is unrealistic, because they spend most of book 1 in each other's minds rather than in person, I know otherwise.
You can fall in love with a voice in your head.
I did.
And I'm so excited to share this book with you. A book so dear to my heart!
To celebrate the launch of "Forbidden Mind," my publishing company, Evolved Publishing, is offering an extra special deal. If you buy a copy of "Forbidden Mind" from any online vendor, you will get three epically awesome short stories for free! That's right, FREE! And these are good folks.
Written by two of the best authors/editors at Evolved Publishing, these stories will leave you wanting more. All you have to do is email Evolved at Marketing@EvolvedPub.com with your purchase receipt and they will send you the coupons for the short stories.
Basically, for $3.99 you're getting quite a steal, with four stories that will transport you to other worlds and other lives!
Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade
"Do not make any plans on the day you begin, as once you start, you will not be able to put it down." – L.M. Stull
"Even non-YA readers will enjoy this one!" –David Lane
"…hooked me in from the beginning." – L.E. Manning
"This book was fantastic!" – P. Larsen
"Forbidden Mind is beautifully written and worth your reading time." – BookWormSans
"Definite must read. For once you start, you simply can't stop. 5 out of 5 stars!" – H. Badgwell
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Sam thinks she's months away from freedom. After spending her life in a secret school, [image error]rented out to the rich and powerful as a paranormal spy, she is ready to head to college like any normal eighteen-year-old.
Only Sam isn't normal. She reads minds. And just before her big going-away party, she links to the mind of a young man who changes everything.
Drake wasn't raised as a 'Rent-A-Kid.' He was kidnapped and taken there by force. But his exceptional physical strength and powers of mind control make him very dangerous, especially to Sam.
When they meet, Sam is forced to face the truth of her situation, and to acknowledge that not all is as it seems in her picture-perfect world. For what awaits her on her eighteenth birthday isn't a trip to college, but an unexpected nightmare from which she may not be able to escape.
To survive, they must work together.
But will their powers be enough to save them before it's too late?
Buy it on Amazon, Smashwords, BookieJar (Also available on iBooks as an eBook and Barnes & Noble in paperback) You can also try a few chapters for free at any of these sites!
[image error]The Sword of Oops by D.T. Conklin
What happens when a sentient, magical sword meets a Grunt? Disaster. Mayhem. And a touch of Oops.
The tiniest things can alter lives–whispers, decisions, discoveries. For Zerren, an ill-fated Grunt, he uncovers the later. In a field of grass and furrows and glory, he discovers the Krevn's secret.
Ah, but what to do with a secret?
Devane's Reality by Lane Diamond [image error]
How does one cope with complete and utter loneliness? Imagine living in a world occupied by one – not another living creature. How could such a thing be possible? Doesn't matter. What matters is how Lawrence Steven Devane reacts when plunged into precisely this situation.
[image error] Wind Tunnel by Lane Diamond
The sad and depressing Chicago ER has worn down Dr. Michael Sheehan. He wants more. He wants to make a difference. He wants to give back. And what goes around comes around.
Doctors Without Borders has just the spot for Doc Sheehan, and Pablo is glad Doc came. The local historian and storyteller believes in paying it forward, even if no one can understand quite how he pulled it off.
This feel-good story is a reminder that when we do good, we get good.
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So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy of "Forbidden Mind" and get these great stories for free! And watch for "Forbidden Fire" and "Forbidden Life" coming October and November of this year!
Buy Forbidden Mind on Amazon, Smashwords, BookieJar (Also available on iBooks as an eBook and Barnes & Noble in paperback)
